HffGlobal FootballNewsLiverpool’s Steven Gerrard aims to bring back the Reds’ glory days after signing new contract

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard aims to bring back the Reds' glory days after signing new contract

09:31 | 16/07/2013

“Massively encouraged, really excited” Anfield captain is on the same wavelength as boss Rodgers and thinking big.

Steven Gerrard is ready to extending his career at Liverpool… because of his passionate belief that Brendan Rodgers can deliver glory.

England captain Gerrard, 33, will play at least beyond his 35th birthday for the Anfield giants after agreeing a new two-year contract, and is looking to go even beyond that with the hometown club he has served all his career.

And the midfielder has revealed one of the biggest reasons he has retained his commitment and desire at the veteran stage of his playing life.

It is because Rodgers has offered hope to all those who back the club – and generated genuine excitement among the players.

Gerrard has struck up a close relationship with the boss – who is entering his second year at Anfield – and he sees brighter days ahead for a club that last won the title in 1990.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Brendan as a coach, but also as a guy as well, I’m really excited at the moment at where we are going,” he insisted.

“I’ve loved every minute of working with him since he came through the door and I hope he is here for certainly the next couple of years.

“I want to work with him more. We have a perfect working relationship and it is growing – I feel as if he is the man to take this club forward.

“It is massively encouraging looking towards the future here. I have a lot of confidence in the manager, and belief in my team-mates and in the coaches we’ve got.

“That’s the reason why I feel as if we can move forward together and get success back soon.

‘‘Every fan out there and the players are no different – we want to see a few more faces to strengthen the team and squad even more.

“It is an exciting time when you get a couple of new faces in to freshen the squad up – you’re at the beginning of the season and it’s a fresh start, there are trophies to be won and things to achieve.”

Gerrard has been hard at work this summer already, coming back weeks before the rest of the players to ensure he hits peak fitness at the start of the season.

And he believes it will be a huge season both for the club and for himself, as he looks to lead Liverpool back to great things.

“The training has been really, really tough – it’s been brutal at times – but I think the team is going to be a lot fitter this year and hopefully we can start the season really well,” added Gerrard.

“It’s a big year – it’s a World Cup year. We’ve [England] got a lot of hard work to do to get to the World Cup first and foremost.

“But, for me, my priority at the moment is getting the season off to a winning start, trying to stay fit throughout pre-season and getting as fit as I can personally.